Block-molding machine.



No. 866,571. PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

J. M. BOLTON.

BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31. 1907.

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PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

J. M. BOLTON. BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLIOLTION FILED JAN. 31, 1907.

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No. 866,571. PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

J. M. BOLTON. BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31; 1967- 4 SHEETS-SHEET s.

PATENTED SEPT. 17, 1907.

J. M. BOLTON.

BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE;

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 31, 1907.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES M. BOLTON, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO BYRON I. TURNER, OF WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

BLOCK-MOLDING- MACHINE.

Patented Sept. 17, 1907.

Application filed January 31, 1907- $erial No. 355,002-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES M. BoL'roN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Block-Molding Machines, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to molding machines for build ing blocks of the character described in my application Serial Number 318,453, and the mold has all the capabilities and advantages of the mold described in my Patent 826,467, July 17, 1906, together with many other advantages not secured by the construction of my prior patent.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of the mold closed and the hopper in position for filling the mold; Fig. 2 is a side elevation showing the hopper retracted and the mold opened; Fig. 3 is a plan showing the hopper retracted and the mold closed; Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the mold closed and with the hopper removed; Fig. 5 is a cross section on the line V-V of Fig. 1, showing the rear end of the frame in elevation; Fig. 6 is a sectional detail showing the method of adjusting the supports for the mold bottom; Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a form of core suitable for use when apertured blocks are to be molded and Fig. 8 is a section on the line VIII-VIII of Fig. 5.

l, l. are end pieces of the mold frame, which are in all respects similar, so that they may be cast from a single pattern.

2, 2 are the side portions of the main frame connecting the ends], 1.

3 are cross pieces adj ustably secured to the inner sides of the end portions of the frame in any desired manner, as by studs 4 and thumb nuts 5 (see Fig. 6). These cross pieces serve to support the slotted mold bottom 6, which is preferably of wood and which, it will be understood, may be made of any desired size to mold any prefeired number of blocks at once; the drawing showing a mold for simultaneously forming three such blocks or bricks. The ends 1, 1, of the frame are also suitably tied together by side pieces 7 which are downwardly curved as at 8 for the purpose of forming a sufficient aperture beneath the bottom part 6 so that the hands may be inserted thereunder conveniently to remove the bottom and the molded bricks supported thereon; the

' mold bottom 6 being then set aside for a sufficient gas pipe, which thimbles are placed in position when the partitions 9 are assembled and which, together with the side pieces 7, servc'to hold these partitions firmly in position. To prevent endwise movement of the rod 10, the central thimble, or each of the thimbles may be socured to the rod in any desired manner, for example as shown in Fig. 8. The reccssing ol the side pieces 7 as at 11 provide for the ready dismounting of the mold and the substitution of other partitions, if desired; such for example as apertured partitions for molding cored bricks, such apertures being indicated in dotted circles 14 in Fig. 1. When such apertured partitions are used,

there maybe provided cores 15 (see Fig. 7) which are inserted transversely through the partitions and which are provided with suitable handles as 16, which serve to rotate and withdraw the cores before the partitions of the mold are dropped, as will be hereinafter described. I have found that it is preferable to provide single cores rather than the connected cores shown in my Patent 826,467 for the reason that such cores are more easily withdrawn if first twisted or rotated in the bricks.

The rod 10 serves as a hinge for the connected parti--,

tions 9 and these partitions are also joined by a through rod 18, also provided with spacing thimbles to hold the forward portion of the partitions in the desired position, in the manner ah'eady described. At each end of the rod 18 is secured a handle 19, which may be attached in any suitable manner as by threading the end of the rod and tapping the end of the handle. These handles then form a convenient means for lowering and raising the partitions in the opening and closing of a mold as will be readily understood. When the rod 18 is raised in position to close the mold it is automatically locked.

in its closed position by 'a pair of latches 20, suitably secured to the forward end of the side pieces 7, as by headed screws or rivets 21, to the rearmost 01'' which is attached a pair of springs 22; the other end of the spring being suitably attached to a projection 23 on the latch 20; the tension of the springs 22 serving to keep the latches 20 continually drawn toward the rear of the frame. The lower rear corner of each of said latches is beveled as at 24 so that the latches will be thrown forward when struck by the cross rod 18 when the parti tions are lifted, after which the springs 22 immediately retract the latches and secure the rod 18 and the partitions in their elevated position. The latches on each side of the machine may be connected by a cross rod 25 to which is attached a handle 26 for withdrawing the latches to open the mold and for positively operating the same in case the springs should not satisfactorily retract the latches.

The ends of the molds are closed by rabbeted end pieces 27 which are supported by links 28; said links being attached to cars 29 on the end pieces and corresponding ears or lugs 30 on the end of the mold frame. The end partitions 27, 27 are in all respects similar and may be made from the same pattern; but it is necessary to make the forward links 28 of somewhat greater length than the rearward links for the purpose of allowing the upper corners of the partitions 9 to clear the cross pieces of the mold bottoms Gwhen the partitions are swung downward in opening the mold. These end pieces 27 preferably seat in notches 31 in the partitions 9 for the purpose of holding them more securely in place; and the links 28 are preferably arranged horizontally, or at right angles to the upright faces of the end pieces 27; for the reason that when so arranged the end pieces 27 will have a slight movement in a practically vertical direction at the beginning of the opening of the mold, and this short movement serves to smooth the end of the molded block before the swinging of the links about their pivots in the lugs 30 serve to retract the end pieces to the positions shown in Fig. 2.'

The hopper 32 is supported in a sliding bottom 33 which bottom is cut away as at 34 (Fig. 3) to form an opening substantially equal in area to the top of the mold. To the rear of this point the sliding bottom 33 is closed, and at its extreme rear has a cleat or cross piece 34 adapted to be struck by the hopper 32 in its rearward movement. Both the hopper and sliding bottom are slidably mounted in guides 35 which are carried by suitable members 36 attached to the rear end of the main frame of the mold.

It is of course understood that the size of the molding machine is dependent upon the size of the block to be formed. If the block is of the size of an ordinary brick it will be preferable to mount the entire molding machine upon a sub-frame or table so as to bring it to a convenient height for the workman; and for this purpose the end pieces 1 may be provided with suitable feet 37 It will also be understood that the brace members of the side pieces 2 are omitted at the rear so that the handles 19 are free to swing with the partitions to the position shown in Fig. 2.

The operation is as follows :Assuming that the mold and hopper are in the position shown in Fig. 1, the material. for the brick (preferably a suitable mixture of sand, gravel and hydraulic-cement) is introduced into the mold and tamped as may be necessary. The hopper 32 is then pushed to the rear, the first action being to strike the mold, after which any excess of material is retained in the hopper by the closed portion of the sliding bottom 33. Thereafter, the rearward edge of the hopper contacts with the cleat 34 and the hopper and bottom slide rearwardly together in the guides 35 sufliciently so that the end pieces 27 may be lifted to the position of Fig. 2. After this, the partitions 9 are swung downwardly by the handles 19, and the workman may insert the fingers above the portions 8 of the side pieces 7 and lift the bottom 6 with its load of molded bricks out of the machine.

It will be understood that after the hopper is retracted and before the mold is opened, the upper faces of the blocks or bricks may be given a coating such as is described in my application Serial Number 318,453; and, if corner bricks are desired, the forward end 27 of the mold may be raised and the ends of the bricks likewise faced and troweled before depressing the partitions 9 and removing the finished blocks.

It will be understood that in case apertured bricks are to be molded the cores shown in Fig. 7 are inserted transversely through apertures shown in dotted circles in Fig. 1, before the filling of the mold is begun, and that these cores are then rotated and withdrawn after the tamping of the mold and before the same is opened.

The advantages of my invention result from the low cost of the machine, the rapidity with which it is closed and opened, the facility with which the mold is struck and the surplus material retained in the hopper. for introduction into the mold when again closed, the rapidity and ease with which the mold may be opened and the bottom with its load of finished blocks may be set aside to dry. It will of course be understood that a large number of mold bottoms will be furnished so that the blocks may remain thereon a suflicient length of time to properly set, after which they maybe removed and the bottoms again placed in the molding machine.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a re movable, apertured mold-bottgm, a series of connected plates forming moldsides and partitions and adapted to be withdrawn through said mold-bottom, and pivotally supported end members cooperating with said plates, substantially as described.

2. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a removable, slotted mold bottom, a connected series of parallel apcrtured plates forming mold-sides and partitions and adapted to be withdrawn through said moldbottom, pivotally supported end members cooperating with said plates, and cores adapted to be inserted transversely through said parallel plates, substantially as described.

3. In a blockmolding machine, in combination, a main frame, adjustable supports thereon, 'an apertured removable mold bottom adapted to rest on said supports, a con nected series of plates pivotally mounted on said frame and adapted to be withdrawn through said mold-bottom apertures, and end members pivoted to said frame and adapted to be initially moved from said plates in planes parallel to the closed position of said end members, substantially as described.

4. In a block molding machine, in combination, a main frame having adjustable cross-pieces and recessed, intermediately depressed side pieces, an apertured bottom adapted to be supported on said cross pieces, a series of connected plates removably and pivotally supported in the recesses of said side pieces, means for automatically locking said plates in elevated position, end members co6perat ing with said plates in closed position, and links connecting said and members to said frame; substantially as described.

5. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a main frame a slotted mold-bottom, a series of connected parallel plates removably pivoted in said frame, means for vertically depressing said plates through the mold-bottom and means for automatically locking them in an elevated position; substantially as described.

6. In a bloclcmolding machine, in combination, a main frame, a separate apertured mold bottom adjustably supported thereon, a series of connected parallel plates removably pivoted in said frame and adapted to be depressed through the apertures of said bottom, and means for automatically locking said plates in an elevated position; substantially as described.

7. In a block molding machine, in combination, an adjustable, apertured mold-bottom, a series of connected plates constituting sides and partitions for the mold and swinging in planes at right angles to said bottom, and end members arranged to be withdrawn from said plates in planes parallel to the closed position of said end members; substantially as described.

8. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a series of parallel, connected plates constituting mold-sides and partitions, the outer plates of said series having notched extensions, means for supporting said plates in elevated position, and rabbeted end members adapted to rest in the notches of said plates, said end members being arranged to have a limited movement in planes parallel to their closed position when the mold is opened; substantially as described.

9. In a blockmolding machine, in combination, a bracket, an apertured hopper-bottom slidably mounted in said bracket, and a bottomless hopper mounted on said apertured bottom, said hopper and bottom being arranged to move independently for a predetermined distance and thereafter move together; substantially as described.

10. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a main frame, a separable mold mounted thereon, a bracket on said frame a slide movably mounted in said bracket and having an aperture of substantially the size of the moldtop, and a bottomless hopper mounted on said slide, said hopper and slide being arranged to first move independ ently to allow said hopper to strike the mold, and thereafter be retracted together to permit the separation of the mold members; substantially as described.

11. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a main frame, adjustable supports thereon, a removable apertured mold-bottom carried by said supports, a series of connected parallel plates pivotally mounted on said frame,

some of said plates being adapted to be elevated through the apertures of said mold bottom, means for automat ically locking said plates in elevated position, and end members cooperating with said plates and m0ld-bottomand having link connections with the ends of the main frame; substantially as described.

12. In a block-molding machine, in combination, a main frame, adjustable supports thereon, a removable apertured mold bottom carried by said supports, a series of con nected parallel plates pivotally mounted on said frame, some of said plates being adapted to be elevated through the apertures of said mold bottom, means for automatically locking said plates in elevated position, end members coilperating with said plates and mold-bottom and having link connections with the ends of the main frame, and a hopper-mechanism arranged to first strike the mold and then carry to one side any excess of block material; substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES M. BOLTON.

Witnesses:

WALTER D. GROESBECK, BYRON P. TURNER. 

